FAQs

FAQs about the benefits

How is CfJ different

CfJ deals with the parties and the evidence direct to reach a decision quickly and reliably. There are no complex long-drawn out procedures. This direct approach ensures you get the right decision. It does so in a fraction of the time and cost of going to court.

CfJ also offers you mediation throughout to enable you to agree a solution if this is better for you.

What are the advantages?

CfJ enables you to be sure of getting the right result and removes the risk, stress and uncertainty of going to court. It saves you the enormous amount of cost and time you would spend in the court process.

What are the savings?

How long will it take?

Cases are resolved on average within two months. Cases going to court can easily take two years.

How can we be more sure of getting the right result?

With a thorough CfJ’s investigation and the best specialists dealing with you and the evidence direct, your lawyer will ensure he fully understands your case. The risk and uncertainty of court process is removed and you are sure of getting the right result.

FAQs about how it works

What is mediation?

A mediator helps the parties discuss and agree constructive solutions beyond those you can get from a judge in court. He will meet the parties separately and together. This will enable you to look at the real problems that gave rise to the dispute and find common sense answers you can both be happy with. Your CfJ lawyer will help you and act as mediator

I do not want to mediate

If you do not want mediation, or to continue with mediation, you can ask your lawyer simply to make a decision on your case.

How is the decision legally binding?

Your lawyer’s decision is as binding under the Arbitration Act 1996 as a court judgment.

I only want mediation

We can provide mediation only if you prefer. If you then want your lawyer to go on to decide any part of the case he can still ask him to do this.

We just want an opinion or non-binding decision

If this is what you prefer a decision can be given on this basis. This can still have a real value as joint advice to the parties.

What types of case are suitable?

Nearly anything that can go to a civil court or tribunal. See Cases we deal with for examples.

Who will I be dealing with?

Your case will be handled by your lawyer. You will also have a case manager who can answer any questions you have and give you support.

Who are your assessors?

Our assessors are leading barristers and solicitors chosen as the most suitable for your case from the best in the field. They will be familiar with the law and practice in the area of your dispute. They are also mediators and are independent of CfJ.

How do you ensure we have the right assessor?

CfJ has researched and established a database of the leading specialists in every field. They are selected on the basis of their skills, knowledge and reputation to ensure you have best available and the most suitable.

How do I refer a case?

Please contact us and just ask any questions and we can arrange the referral. (Also see Refer a case).

How do we know we will get the right result?

You will have one of the best lawyers in the area of your dispute. He will deal with you direct and give you all the time you need to have him understand your case, and he will come back to you for further comments. You will not face the risk and uncertainty of court process. There is no more reliable and certain way of getting the right and fair result.

Where does this all happen?

Your assessor works from his office but can meet you where most convenient.

When should I come to CfJ?

You can bring a case to us at any time.

The case is already in court or with solicitors

This is not a problem. Most of our cases come to us after the claim has been issued.

Do both parties have to agree?

Both parties do need to agree the referral.

What if the other party does not agree?

CfJ can help you get the other parties agreement so please contact us. There are a number of reasons the other party will want to agree a referral.

I am not clear whether you mediate or decide the case

You have a choice. We help people agree a solution where possible through mediation If though you do not want mediation, or no agreement is reached through mediation, you can ask your lawyer who will go on to make a decision on the case.

What happens to the costs I have already run up?

If you want CfJ can decide how these should be dealt with.

Can the parties go back to court?

If you agree a solution through mediation, this will bring an end to the dispute. If you agree your lawyer is to decide the case, this will be legally binding and will also be final. Both of you will have agreed you want CfJ to deal with the case so you do not need to go to court.

I just want to know where I stand

A CfJ lawyer will talk to both sides and have access to all the evidence. This puts him in a position to give you a reliable view on how the case is likely to go.

Why shouldn’t I use a No Win No Fee (CFA) solicitor?

CFA agreements do not fully protect you. You give up control to a solicitor whose interest cannot be the same as yours. If you do not want to go on you may have to pay all the costs to date.

You can get the same result through CfJ very much more quickly and without the wear and tear of going to court.

If you are wondering whether to refer a case to CfJ or use a CFA lawyer, come to us. You are entirely free to choose the CFA route once you have looked at both options.

I already have a No win No Fee agreement (CFA) agreement

If you want to refer a case to CfJ, but have already signed a CFA agreement, this need not be a problem, we will talk to the other side and to your solicitor.

Do you deal with small claims?

Although we take on cases with a value below £10,000, you may find it better for very low value claims to go to the small claims court, if you can represent yourself.